Vera Ralling Memorial Award

The Vera Ralling Memorial Award is established at the University of Prince Edward Island to support and encourage aspiring nurses, and to provide a fitting tribute to an exemplary Island nurse. Vera Ralling began a lifelong career in nursing with her training at the Montreal General Hospital. After serving in the British Army in North Africa and Italy during the second world war, she returned to hospital-based nursing working for the Victorian Order of Nurses for 10 years and then in several small senior citizens' homes. Vera especially enjoyed working with seniors and the community, addressing their social and emotional, as well as their medical needs. Vera had many qualities that made her an outstanding nurse. Strongly committed to her profession, she stood firm for what she believed in and worked hard to get it. Yet she was full of warmth and compassion. She truly cared about people and was sensitive to their needs. Presented at the Deans Honours and Awards banquet in October, the Vera Ralling Memorial Award is awarded to a third year student who embodies these humanistic qualities and demonstrates particular competence in nursing practice in home care. The award is given to a full-time student enrolled in the Nursing degree program at UPEI who is in need of financial assistance. Preference will be given to a student who has demonstrated an interest in geriatric nursing or nursing in a home-care setting.